Sandra Bosworth

Part A
Extract 1: Questions 1-12

You hear a neurologist talking to a new patient called Sandra Bosworth. For
Questions1-12, complete the notes with a word or short phrase.

You now have 30 seconds to look at the notes. Patient

Sandra Bosworth
History of Condition • First symptoms approximately (1)
After giving birth (eight months ago)

• Partial loss of sense of (2) (left

side)
• Attributed to (3) after
childbirth
• Next day -left eye and mouth both
(4)‘ ’
• Husband suspected (5) ->
emergency admission
• Bell’s Palsy confirmed
Treatment • Course of steroids (prednisolone)

• (6) and gauze padding for

affected eye
• She also used (7) to keep
eye closed at night
• No improvement after two weeks looking after
baby alone
• MRI scan and (8)
administered (clear)

Current symptoms • Vision described as (9)

• (recently (10) as a
result –no injury)
 • Unable to smile or (11) (cause
of discomfort in eye)
• Facial muscles feel (12) _
• Synkinesis
Extract 2: Questions 13-24

You hear a nephrologist talking to a patient called Victor Lucas. For Questions 13-24,
complete the notes with a word or short phrase.

You now have 30 seconds to look at the notes.

Patient Victor Lucas

Symptoms • felt unusually fatigued

• suddenly developed (13)
• noticed a (14) in wrist and fingers (no
pain reported)
• experienced uncharacteristic (15)
• sometimes became (16) (no exertion)
• was occasionally aware of (17)

Preliminary • GP suspected underlying issue with kidneys

investigations
• CT scan and (18) carried out (on kidneys)
• amyloidosis diagnosed; protein deposits in kidneys
• blood tests confirmed no damage to heart
• a possible link to (19) was ruled out

Initial treatment • advised to cut down on (20)

• underwent (21) (successful)
• also prescribed (22)
• regular monitoring of kidneys to check levels of
amyloid deposits

Further treatment • possible (23) discussed

options
• (24) not required at present
• no evidence of late stage kidney failure
• new medication discussed with patient
Part B

1. You hear a doctor briefing a group of student nurses about taking blood
pressure.
What is the doctor doing?
(A) Reminding them about a psychological cause of a misleading reading
(B) Warning them to check more carefully that the cuff is the right size
(C) Explaining to them exactly how they should seat the patient

2. You hear two nurses on an orthopaedic ward doing a handover at the change of
shift.
What does the nurse want his colleague to do first? (A)Explain to the
patient the need for regular exercise
(B) Change the patient’s compression stockings
(C) Give the patient another dose of medication

3. You hear a nurse talking to a patient who’s being discharged from

hospital with his arm in a plaster cast. What
is she doing?
(A) Advising him on the types of exercise he will need to do
(B) Describing the practical difficulties in keeping the cast dry
(C) Explaining when it would be necessary to contact the hospital

4. You hear an asthma nurse talking to a patient about managing his condition.
What course of action does the nurse suggest to the patient?
(A)Undergoing a test to examine his lungs
(B) Keeping a record of his asthma attacks
(C) Modifying the way he uses his inhaler

5. You hear a doctor in an eye clinic talking to a nurse about a patient. What
does the doctor want the nurse to do?
(A) Inform the patient of the extra help available to her locally
(B) Check the eye drops are causing the patient no further discomfort
(C) Reassure the patient about the treatment she’s going to have
 6. You hear a nurse briefing a new colleague about dressing a patient’s
leg ulcer.
She says that every time the dressing is changed, it’s important to
(A) Find and check the patient’s notes in advance
(B) Write a full description of the skin close to the wound
(C) Explain in detail to the patient what’s going to happen

Part C

Extract 1: Questions 31-36

You hear a presentation by a cardiologist called Dr Tim Rushton, who’s

talking about rehabilitation after a heart attack.

You now have 90 seconds to read questions 31-36.

31. Dr Rushton believes that patients recovering from heart attacks

(A) May fail to follow instructions regarding medication.
(B) Realise that heart surgery provides only a temporary remedy.
(C) Underestimate how much their lifestyle affects their recovery.

32. Dr Rushton is particularly surprised by how many patients (A)Are

unwilling to finish their rehabilitation programmes.
(B) Ignore the statistical evidence for the benefits of rehabilitation.
(C) Feel discouraged by the process of applying to join a rehabilitation
programme.

33. Dr Rushton says that rehabilitation programmes are very safe because they

(A) Consist of exercises done at a controlled and steady pace.

(B) Are designed for people who have experience of taking exercise.
(C) Include detailed advice on any possible risks to participants.
34. What did Dr Rushton’s patient Lucy feel about joining a group
rehabilitation programme?

(A) Embarrassed about being in a minority in her class

(B) Worried about being put under a lot of pressure
(C) Uncomfortable about being in an environment that didn’t suit her

35. Dr Rushton believes that rehabilitation programmes would be improved by

(A) Having more input from patients before being launched.

(B) Being more varied in both content and delivery.
(C) Receiving more financial support in all parts of the country.

36. Why does Dr Rushton mention his patient called Michael?

(A) To warn that patients exaggerate their feelings about taking more exercise
(B) To suggest that patients in rehabilitation require more careful
observation
(C) To emphasise that patients often need additional psychological support

Extract 2: Questions 37-42

You hear a gastroenterologist called Veronica Schulman giving a presentation about

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its treatment.
You now have 90 seconds to read questions 37-42.

37. What general point about IBS does Dr Schulman make in her
introduction?

(A) It is now so widespread that it needs more attention.

(B) It may be connected in some way to stressful lifestyles.
(C) It usually responds well to initial treatment but then recurs.
38. Dr Schulman emphasises that today IBS patients
(A) Can be more confident that a diagnosis is correct.
(B) Have the choice of a range of diagnostic methods.
(C) Are more aware of the symptoms of similar illnesses.

39. The treatment for IBS favoured by Dr Schulman first involves

(A) Following a diet that permanently excludes sugar and starch.
(B) Making an effort to find substitutes for food with artificial additives.
(C) Eating certain foods again after a period of avoiding them.

40. Dr Schulman’s patient called Matt was typical because he was sceptical
about

(A) The effectiveness of unconventional medical approaches.

(B) The large number of apparently easy solutions offered to him.
(C) The idea that his condition could be cured by lifestyle changes alone.

41. What did the patient called Sophie feel during the time she was being treated by
Dr Schulman?

(A) She was so worried she made herself more unwell.

(B) She was determined only to follow part of the guidance on diet.
(C) She was convinced that one type of food was causing all her
problems.

42. Dr Schulman says that IBS patients often wrongly believe that their
(A)Treatment may result in other complications.
(B) Diet doesn’t have to be adhered to strictly.
(C) Condition indicates an underlying organic weakness.